CHAPTER 6 – The Sudden Wedding

Three days.

Tatlong araw pa lang ang nakakalipas mula nang pirmahan ni Alina Reyes ang kontratang iyon, but it felt like a lifetime ago. Everything moved with a dizzying, mechanical speed—a terrifying efficiency that only a man like Alexander Vale could command. Sa loob ng tatlong araw, ang isang babaeng nawalan ng lahat—trabaho, dangal, at pag-asa—ay biglang naging sentro ng atensyon ng isang bilyonaryo.

And now, here she was.

Nakatayo si Alina sa harap ng isang floor-to-ceiling mirror sa loob ng isang private bridal suite sa isang five-star hotel sa Makati. The room was suffocatingly beautiful. Gold-leafed moldings adorned the high ceilings, while the scent of fresh white lilies—flowers that likely cost more than her previous monthly salary—filled the air. There was a silence so thick it felt like she was underwater, drowning in luxury she never asked for but desperately needed.

She was wearing an elegant white wedding gown. The design was minimalist, a creation of a world-renowned designer who probably didn't even know her name. No loud embellishments, no intricate lace—just pure, heavy satin that draped perfectly down to the floor, shimmering like liquid moonlight under the massive crystal chandelier. It was simple, yet it screamed old money.

Marahan niyang hinaplos ang kanyang tiyan habang nakatingin sa sariling repleksyon. Her pregnancy wasn’t visible yet. Her waist was still narrow, the satin hugging her frame without a hint of the life growing inside her. But she felt the weight of it. That tiny, fragile heartbeat was the only anchor she had in this storm.

“Hindi ko akalain na ganito mangyayari ang buhay ko,” she whispered to the empty room. Her voice sounded small, swallowed by the opulence of the suite.

Just three weeks ago, she was dreaming of a future with Marco. She thought they were forever. She had imagined a wedding with family, with laughter, and with a man who actually loved her. She envisioned a simple garden ceremony, surrounded by people who genuinely wished them well.

Ngayon? She was about to tie the knot with a billionaire who was essentially a stranger.

A soft, rhythmic knock interrupted her thoughts. “Ma’am, five minutes na lang po.”

“Sige, papunta na,” she replied.

Muli siyang tumingin sa salamin, correcting a stray strand of her hair. She didn’t look like a happy bride. There was no bridal glow, no blush of excitement that usually accompanies such a momentous occasion. But she didn’t look miserable either. Instead, she saw a woman with steel in her eyes, a survivor who had finally found a weapon to fight back with.

Determined.

She was doing this for her child. For protection. For a fresh start that didn't involve begging for mercy or living in fear.

Huminga siya nang malalim, grabbed her bouquet of white calla lilies, and stepped out of the suite. The hallway felt endless, the plush carpet muffling her footsteps as if she were a ghost haunting her own wedding. The gold-framed paintings on the walls seemed to watch her, silent witnesses to a marriage born out of necessity rather than love.

Sa kabilang bahagi ng hotel, Alexander Vale was the picture of lethal composure. He stood in a private conference room that had been stripped of its corporate furniture and transformed into a temporary ceremony hall.

He was wearing a charcoal black suit, tailored to his exact measurements by the finest hands in London. Every fold, every stitch was flawless. He stood with his back to the door, staring out at the skyline through the tinted glass. He wasn't thinking about vows or romance. He was calculating the market's reaction and the board of directors' approval ratings.

He checked his Patek Philippe watch. The second hand swept smoothly, relentlessly, ticking away the last few moments of his bachelorhood.

“Three minutes, sir,” his assistant murmured from the corner, holding a tablet with the day’s schedule.

Alexander just nodded. No nerves. No excitement. To him, this wasn’t a wedding; it was a high-stakes merger. A strategic partnership that needed to be executed with zero margin for error.

“I still can’t believe you’re actually doing this, Alex. Ikakasal ka na talaga? After years of dodging every socialite in the country, you pick a complete unknown from the middle of nowhere?”

Victor, his legal advisor and long-time friend, approached him with a lopsided, cynical grin. Victor was one of the few people who dared to speak to Alexander without a filter, having been with him through every hostile takeover and corporate battle.

Alexander didn't look at him. “It’s a necessity, Victor. You know the board's stance on stability. They want a family man, and I’m giving them exactly that.”

“Are you sure about this decision? You barely know the girl. What if she’s more trouble than she’s worth?”

Alexander finally glanced at him, his gaze as cold as the ice in a glass of top-shelf scotch.

“I know, Victor. I know what she’s lost, and I know exactly what she’s willing to do to keep what’s left of her dignity. That kind of drive is much more manageable than the fickle whims of a spoiled socialite.”

“Which is?” Victor asked, genuinely curious.

“She’s desperate,” Alexander replied flatly, turning back to the window. “And desperation is the best foundation for loyalty. She has nowhere else to go, and I am the only thing standing between her and total ruin. That makes her the most reliable partner I could ask for.”

Victor shook his head, leaning against the mahogany table. “Alexander, hindi lahat ng bagay ay nadadaan sa business deal.”

“Everything is a deal, Victor,” Alexander countered, his voice low and dangerous. “You just have to know the price of the variables. I’ve bought her safety; she’s given me her status as my wife. It’s balanced. No more, no less.”

Bago pa makapagsalita ulit si Victor, the heavy oak doors swung open. The wedding coordinator signaled them with a frantic but silent wave. “Sir, the bride is here. Everyone, positions please.”

Alexander adjusted his cuffs, his expression hardening into a mask of professional indifference. “Let’s begin the execution.”

The ceremony was small, almost clinical in its precision. Napakasimple nito compared to what the public would expect from a man whose net worth could rival the GDP of a small nation. Only a handful of people were present: Alexander’s legal team, two silent witnesses, and the officiant who looked like he’d been paid enough to keep his mouth shut for a century.

Nang pumasok si Alina sa silid, she felt the immediate weight of everyone’s gaze. She walked slowly.... not for dramatic effect, but because she was trying to keep her knees from buckling under the pressure.

Nang makita niya si Alexander sa harap, she almost faltered. He looked imposing. Confident. A titan of industry waiting for his subordinate to report. Parang hindi man lang siya affected ng surrealism ng sitwasyon. To him, this was just another Tuesday, another contract to sign, another asset to acquire.

When their eyes met, Alexander didn't smile. He didn't offer a reassuring look. He gave a small, curt nod, a signal. Proceed. We don't have all day for dramatics.

Alina felt a small, bitter smile tug at her lips. Right. Contract marriage nga pala ito. There would be no "I've waited for this my whole life" look. There would only be "Let's get this over with so we can move to the next phase."

Tumayo siya sa tabi nito. The height difference was intimidating. She felt small, but for the first time in weeks, she didn't feel weak. The officiant began his rehearsed speech, his voice monotone. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...”

Habang nagsasalita ang matanda, Alina felt like she was having an out-of-body experience. This wasn’t the wedding she had dreamed of as a young girl. No family to cry tears of joy. No friends to throw flower petals. No heartfelt, tear-jerking vows about loving each other through sickness and health. Just a legal script being read in a room that felt more like a boardroom than a chapel.

“Do you, Alexander Vale, take Alina Reyes as your lawfully wedded wife?”

Alexander didn't hesitate for a single second. “I do.”

His voice was clear, resonant, and completely devoid of warmth. It was the same voice he used to announce hostile takeovers or fire incompetent executives.

The officiant turned to Alina. She could see the sweat on the man's brow, perhaps intimidated by Alexander's presence. “And do you, Alina Reyes, take Alexander Vale as your lawfully wedded husband?”

The room went still. Alina took a breath, the scent of Alexander’s expensive sandalwood cologne filling her senses. She looked at him. He was a beautiful man, but his beauty was that of a marble statue, cold, hard, and unyielding. But he was also her only hope in a world that had turned its back on her.

“I do,” she said, her voice echoing in the silent room. It was a whisper that felt like a shout.

After the vows, they were prompted to sign the marriage documents. The pens were heavy, made of gold and obsidian, gliding across the paper with a scratchy sound that felt final. It was official. Legal. She was now Mrs. Vale. In the eyes of the law, she was now part of the most powerful family in the country.

Walang palakpakan. Walang "you may kiss the bride." Alexander didn't even touch her hand. Just the scratching of pens on expensive parchment, sealing their fates together in a bond of paper and ink.

Pagkatapos ng pirmahan, Alexander stepped slightly closer to her, though he kept a respectful, almost business-like distance. “Congratulations,” he said, his voice a low rumble.

Alina couldn’t help but let out a dry, cynical laugh. “Ganun lang? That’s it? No reception? No cake? No first dance?”

“Yes,” he replied, looking down at her with those piercing eyes. “The documents are signed. The deal is sealed. The rest is just unnecessary noise.”

“Hindi man lang tayo magpapanggap na romantic for the sake of the witnesses? Baka isipin nilang napilitan lang ako,” she countered, her spirit returning.

“They are paid not to think, Alina,” he replied smoothly. “They are paid to witness and forget. And as for romance... we both know why we’re here.”

Alina shook her head. But strangely, she felt a sense of relief. At least Alexander was honest about his coldness. Walang fake sweet talk, walang mapagpanggap na pangako na madali ring mapapako. It was a cold comfort, but it was comfort nonetheless. She knew exactly kung saan siya nakatayo sa kanya.

Habang tahimik na nagaganap ang "kasal" sa loob, the world outside was already starting to burn.

A grainy photo had leaked online—a shot of Alexander Vale entering the hotel with a woman in a wedding dress. Hindi malinaw ang mukha ni Alina, but the silhouette was enough.

Within the hour, the internet exploded.

BREAKING NEWS: Billionaire CEO Alexander Vale gets married in a secret ceremony.

The questions flooded every social media platform. “Who is the mystery bride?”“Why the sudden wedding?” “Is she a business heiress?”

Speculations were wild. Some said she was a secret European socialite; others guessed she was a top-tier model. No one suspected the truth. No one knew that the new Mrs. Vale was a woman who, just days ago, was jobless and nearly homeless.

She heard footsteps behind her. Firm, rhythmic, and confident. Alexander.

“Ready?” he asked. He had already discarded his suit jacket, his white shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal muscular forearms. He looked less like a groom and higit na mukhang isang lalaki ready to get back to work.

“Para saan?”

“To move in. We leave in exactly ten minutes.”

Alina turned around, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. “Ngayon na? Like, right now?"

“I prefer efficiency, Alina. The longer we stay here, the more likely the press will breach the perimeter or start bribing hotel staff. My estate is secure. You’ll have everything you need there, from a private physician to a new wardrobe.”

Alina sighed. “Of course you do.” She turned back to the window. “Alexander?”

“Yes?”

“Sigurado ka ba na magandang ideya ito?”

Alexander walked up to her, standing just a few inches away. He didn't look at her; he looked at the city view. “I don’t make mistakes, Alina. I make calculated decisions.”

Tumango siya nang bahagya, but a strange feeling tightened in her chest. A storm was coming—she could feel it.

Dahil habang kumakalat sa buong bansa ang balita ng kanilang kasal, one person was staring at the news with eyes wide in shock.

Somewhere in a luxury condo, Marco Dela Cruz dropped his glass of champagne as he stared at the blurred photo of the bride. He recognized that posture. He recognized that silhouette.

And the secret Alina was carrying was about to become the most expensive secret in the country.